West Side Historic District (Aurora, Illinois)
Encyclopedia
The West Side Historic District is a set of ninety-eight buildings on the west side of the Fox River
in Aurora, Illinois
. Of these, seventy-seven contribute to the historical value of the district.
ted by Samuel and Joseph McCarty in 1835. Aurora was a popular destination for settlers from the eastern United States due to its proximity to Chicago yet scenic atmosphere. The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
relocated its headquarters to Aurora in 1855. Expecting a rise in population due to the railroad's employment opportunities, Aurora platted a new residential section of land west of the Fox River. Aurora indeed expanded rapidly during that period, almost doubling in population from 1860 to 1874. Most of the new lands were along the river, with a section following several streets westward. Industrial growth followed in the 1880s, spurring a need for developed city services. Aurora became the first city to have electric street lighting in 1881.
The west side was originally noted for its wide range of Italianate residences. Two large apartment buildings were built along Downer Place between 1882 and 1890. As construction in the district continued in the 1890s, Queen Anne
became the dominate architectural style. Smaller houses were built in the Foursquare
style, some with Prairie School
influences.
The west side district was the homestead for wealthy Aurora citizens throughout its history. Local pharmacist David Hurd owned a Second Empire home, constructed in 1856 and now recognized as an Aurora Landmark. Aurora mayor Fred O. White designed a Queen Anne residence that was completed after his death by his wife. White's sisters-in-law, Mary and Emma Todd, moved in shortly afterward. William Jobbins was the president of Alba Manufacturing Co. and lived in a 1909 Colonial Revival residence. The Col. Ira C. Copley Mansion
was constructed for Ira Clifton Copley
, founder of the Copley Press
and later member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1911 to 1923. His house was designed by Jarvis Hunt
and constructed in 1917.
Fox River (Illinois River tributary)
The Fox River is a tributary of the Illinois River in the states of Wisconsin and Illinois in the United States. There are two other "Fox Rivers" in southern Illinois: the Fox River and a smaller "Fox River" that joins the Wabash River near New Harmony, Indiana.-Wisconsin:The Fox River rises near...
in Aurora, Illinois
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
. Of these, seventy-seven contribute to the historical value of the district.
History
Aurora was platPlat
A plat in the U.S. is a map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. Other English-speaking countries generally call such documents a cadastral map or plan....
ted by Samuel and Joseph McCarty in 1835. Aurora was a popular destination for settlers from the eastern United States due to its proximity to Chicago yet scenic atmosphere. The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was a railroad that operated in the Midwestern United States. Commonly referred to as the Burlington or as the Q, the Burlington Route served a large area, including extensive trackage in the states of Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri,...
relocated its headquarters to Aurora in 1855. Expecting a rise in population due to the railroad's employment opportunities, Aurora platted a new residential section of land west of the Fox River. Aurora indeed expanded rapidly during that period, almost doubling in population from 1860 to 1874. Most of the new lands were along the river, with a section following several streets westward. Industrial growth followed in the 1880s, spurring a need for developed city services. Aurora became the first city to have electric street lighting in 1881.
The west side was originally noted for its wide range of Italianate residences. Two large apartment buildings were built along Downer Place between 1882 and 1890. As construction in the district continued in the 1890s, Queen Anne
Queen Anne Style architecture (United States)
In America, the Queen Anne style of architecture, furniture and decorative arts was popular in the United States from 1880 to 1910. In American usage "Queen Anne" is loosely used of a wide range of picturesque buildings with "free Renaissance" details rather than of a specific formulaic style in...
became the dominate architectural style. Smaller houses were built in the Foursquare
American Foursquare
The American Foursquare or American Four Square is an American house style popular from the mid-1890s to the late 1930s. A reaction to the ornate and mass produced elements of the Victorian and other Revival styles popular throughout the last half of the 19th century, the American Foursquare was...
style, some with Prairie School
Prairie School
Prairie School was a late 19th and early 20th century architectural style, most common to the Midwestern United States.The works of the Prairie School architects are usually marked by horizontal lines, flat or hipped roofs with broad overhanging eaves, windows grouped in horizontal bands,...
influences.
The west side district was the homestead for wealthy Aurora citizens throughout its history. Local pharmacist David Hurd owned a Second Empire home, constructed in 1856 and now recognized as an Aurora Landmark. Aurora mayor Fred O. White designed a Queen Anne residence that was completed after his death by his wife. White's sisters-in-law, Mary and Emma Todd, moved in shortly afterward. William Jobbins was the president of Alba Manufacturing Co. and lived in a 1909 Colonial Revival residence. The Col. Ira C. Copley Mansion
Col. Ira C. Copley Mansion
The Colonel Ira C. Copley Mansion, is a historic residence in Aurora, Illinois. It was built in 1917 for Col. Ira Clifton Copley, the founder of Copley Press and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Designed by noted architect Jarvis Hunt, the building was completed in 1917 in a blend of...
was constructed for Ira Clifton Copley
Ira Clifton Copley
Ira Clifton Copley was a United States statesman and newspaper publisher.-Biography:...
, founder of the Copley Press
Copley Press
Copley Press was a privately held newspaper business, founded in Illinois, but later based in La Jolla, California. Its flagship paper was The San Diego Union-Tribune.-Pulitzer Prizes:...
and later member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1911 to 1923. His house was designed by Jarvis Hunt
Jarvis Hunt
Jarvis Hunt was a "renowned Chicago architect" who designed a wide array of buildings, including train stations, suburban estates, industrial buildings, clubhouses and other structures....
and constructed in 1917.
See also
- Healy ChapelHealy ChapelHealy Chapel is a historic mortuary in Aurora, Illinois. It was designed by George Grant Elmslie and is one of only a few Prairie School buildings designed for commercial purposes.-History:...
, located within the district but listed as a non-contributing structure.